Hermione made no mention of Harry giving Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons for two whole weeks after her original suggestion. Charlie's detentions with Umbridge were finally over (he doubted whether the words now etched into the back of his hand would ever fade entirely); Ron had had four more Quidditch practices and not been shouted at during the last two; and the core four had managed to keep up with their homework before the subject were brought up again, on a wild, blustery evening at the end of September, when the four of them were sitting in the library, looking up potion ingredients for Snape.
"I was wondering," Hermione said suddenly, "whether you'd thought any more about Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harry."
"'Course I have," shrugged Harry, "can't really forget about it actually... I-I've thought about it quite a bit."
"And?" said Hermione eagerly.
"I dunno," said Harry; playing for time, he looked up at Charlie.
"Don't look at me," Charlie said with a slight laugh, "I thought it was a good idea from the start."
"So why don't you do it?" challenged Harry, his brow raising. "You've proven to be good at Defence Against the Dark Arts, haven't you? You were the only person last year who could throw off the Imperius Curse completely, you managed to survive the Triwizard Tournament, and you can produce a Patron—"
"Who said I wasn't going to help?" Charlie interjected, eyebrows furrowed. "I have no interest in being the teacher, mind you, but I'd be willing to help you out during your lessons," He looked around at Hermione and Ron before adding, "I'm sure we all would."
Hermione and Ron nodded their heads simultaneously in a vigorous manner.
"It has to be you, Harry," agreed Hermione. "You can do all sorts of stuff that full-grown wizards can't. You know, Viktor always sai—"
Ron looked round at her so fast he appeared to crick his neck. Rubbing it, he said, "Yeah? What did Vicky say?"
Charlie's ears perked up at the new topic of conversation; he didn't know if it was because of Ron's reaction... or if it was due to hearing his girlfriend mention the Bulgarian Seeker. He moved his gaze onto Hermione, who shifted in her chair anxiously, contemplating what to say next.
"Uh, well," Hermione gulped, avoiding the curious gaze of her boyfriend as her face turned a deep crimson. "He said Harry knew how to do stuff even he didn't, and he was in his final year at Durmstrang."
Charlie eyed his girlfriend suspiciously, "You're not still in contact with him, are you?"
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Hermione glanced up at Charlie for the first time, her eyes practically radiating an apology.
"He's just a pen-pal," she said reassuringly, but that didn't stop her boyfriend from clenching his jaw. Noticing this, she added, "It means nothing."
